Akij Food factory workers block Dhaka-Aricha highway for 2 hours

Workers seen blocking the Dhaka-Aricha highway in Dhaka's Dhamrai demanding an increase in wages and day-offs during government holidays on Monday,22 April,2019 Dhaka Tribune

They resumed their work after receiving assurances from the police

Workers of Akij Food and Beverage Factory Limited, in Dhaka's Dhamrai, have blocked the Dhaka-Aricha highway for approximately two hours; demanding an increase in wages and day-offs during government holidays.

The workers blocked the highway near Barobaria area of Dhamrai, adjacent to the location of the factory, around 6:30am on Monday.

However, they ended the blockade—after receiving assurances from the police—and resumed their work at the factory.

Sources from the police, and factory workers, said the workers of Akij factory have been demanding a rise in their pay scale from Tk120 per day to Tk180 per day, and that the factory be closed during government holidays.

Meanwhile, the workers began protesting by blocking the highway as the factory did not declare Monday a holiday — resulting in massive traffic congestion on both sides of the highway.

Acting on information, police went to the spot and sent the workers back to work after assuring them that a meeting will be held with representatives of the owner to resolve the matter.

Akij Food and Beverage Factory Limited Executive Officer Habibullah Bahar said: "Our factory runs on seasonal production, which is why we cannot give day-offs during government holidays on some occasions.

He said the workers resumed their work after withdrawing their protest demanding an increment, when they were assured that their problems will be resolved after talking to the owner.

Dhamrai police station Officer-in-Charge (OC) Dipak Chandra Saha told Dhaka Tribune: "The workers blocked the road after demanding wage increments along with other issues, but later they went back to work. Traffic movement on the Dhaka-Aricha highway has resumed."